Organic residuals, such as biosolids and compost from food waste, have the potential to improve soil fertility and a number of other soil properties important for plant growth. Organic residuals and soils can also play a role in climate change: The different end-use options available for organic residuals can carry very different total life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions, and soils can be important sources and sinks of greenhouse gases when applied with residuals. Soils applied with residuals
may also tend to store more carbon, making them an important tool in mitigating human-driven climate change. We have conducted research into the carbon storage potential of soils applied with organic residuals (including biosolids), and have also begun work on establishing the strength of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from organically amended soils.

Vashon Island Nitrous Oxide Study. A study of land reclamation at a former borrow pit on Vashon Island (Washington) directly monitoring N2O emissions from soils applied with different amendments, including biosolids composts.

"Fuel from Food Waste": Laboratory study on the potential for using the anaerobic digestion process on food waste mixed with biosolids to enhance natural gas production at wastewater treatment facilities.

"Methane Avoidance from Composting": Issue paper for the Climate Action Reserve covering existing research and quantification approaches avoided methane emissions with diversion of food waste to compost rather than landfilling.